City Chase

Yesterday was City Chase NYC, and it was a blast. Over 1000 people crammed into Webster Hall, where we got warmed up by a crazy fitness crew from Crunch Fitness. Then in order to get your clue sheet you had to answer/find 9/10 things from this newspaper ad they placed in the Metro the day before, if you didn’t have one or couldn’t get those things you would get your clue sheet 1/2 hour later than everyone else. My friend Ana was my partner. We had the ad and most the things but had to dig around for the rest and we were able to obtain our cluesheet in about 20 minutes.

You only had to complete 10 Chase points and make it back to Webster Hall. There were 30 clues.

So by completing the stuff in the newspaper we got 1 point, then we were off. Our first stop was the Fire Museum, the clue was “Make your way to SOHO’s Spring street near Hudson where you’ll find history, and learnings of NYC’s bravest, a true shrine” and they gave us a question form that you had to find 8 out of 9 things by going through the museum. It was a cool museum, we’ll go back. Point 2.

From there we went to Pier 40 “You might get wet and if its cold you’ll shiver. You’ll partner with your teammate on Pier 40 on our cities West River.” We had to sit in a two person kayak and go around about 10 boats and come back. That was mad fun. Point 3.

After we headed to the Christopher Street Pier for cheerleading! “You’ll be given  some topics and we’ll test your kick, lift and jump. Your energy will be judged at the Christopher Street Pier, so we hope your not in a slump.” They gave you an outfit to wear and a few elements that had to be in a cheer and you had to include a kick, lift and jump. So we practiced for a little bit and came up with a stupid cheer with lots of enthusiasm, and we passed. Some people didn’t pass and had to either try again or come up with something better. Also, we turned in our donation slips for an additional Chase point. Points 4 & 5

From there we went to Fat Cat, “If Felix gets too big you better take him to the vet. Or perhaps give him some exercise like at this bar your going to get.”  Where you had to play ping pong with one person in the back, one in the front and the other person’s arms in the back where the ones who had to hit the ball and get 5 points. If you didn’t win you had to try again. Luckily, we beat these two guys who where there and apparently had been there for a while and where still there (according to the people behind us in line) well after we left. Point 6.

From there we went to the Joshua Tree Bar. “It’s a U2 Album name and also a bar. If you’re on 46th street you’re not to far. You’ll pick up your equipment and have 30 minutes to spare, as people on the street stop and stare.” They gave you a Palm Smartphone and a list of  items you had to take 5 pictures of, and you had 30 minutes to do it.  So we took pictures of 2 non-particiapants kissing my cheek, Ana shaking hands with a postal worker (had to be someone in uniform), me eating something simultaneously with a non-participant, Ana getting a piggyback ride from a non participant, and me with a before and after photo of a non participant switching shirts with me. Point 7. Also, we were given a balloon at the start and you had to fill it and find a second balloon and fill it and have it over your head when you cross the finish line. We got those here. From there we went to Pier 84 for “On Pier 84, as fat as you can go west,this is a balance and coordination test”  You had to find two non-participants to play Twister with! We found a girl and older gentleman and they got such a kick from it, they were also out of towners so they have a great story to bring back home! Point 8.

Then we went to Bike & Roll, “Even wearing a helmet you’ll look sweet on a bicycle built for two. Head to Circle Line for the rest of the clue.”  So we had to ride a tandem bike, quite some ways and turn back around. It was actually REALLY FUN. When we got off I slammed my leg hard on the back handle bars and I have a nasty nasty bruise. Point 9.

Finally we went to Manhattan Plaza HC for some rock climbing. “At Manhattan’s Plaza HC you’ll find a big wall, with safety ropes to prevent a big fall, you’ll feel a great thrill when you reach the top, this challenge is timed out so watch the clock. One more thing you need to know, lineups are likely so plan as you go” One person had to climb up the rock wall and put a tag on the top, then the other person had to climb up and get it down. It was really hard because I am not in that great of shape, and I got almost to the top and was struggling and the guy working there, that I was harness to, said “Thats good enough!” and I heard that and thought “FUCK YOU! thats good enough!” and got this wicked surge of energy and made it to the top really fast and I heard him like “Holy Shit!” at the bottom. Point 10. Then we went back to Webster Hall where we came in 82nd place out of over 500+ teams with a time of 4:39:08. Not too shabby! There was food and drinks and it was a good time. The winning team came in at 3:13, idk how the fudge they did that but good for them!

Ana left and I still hung out with people that I randomly met either there or on the course, then a huge group of us went out drinking. I would totally do it again next year, but make sure I am in better shape!